Muslim struggles for shariah courts in Thailand: an analytical study
Muslims, especially in southern Thailand, have been struggling to lead their lives according to Shari’ah. They have been demanding independence or at least autonomy especially for the southern part of Thailand from the central government. Their aim is to transform the socio-economic and political...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT), Dhaka
2014
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/39975/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/39975/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/39975/1/4._Muslim_Struggle_for_Shari%E2%80%99ah_Courts_in_Thailand.pdf |
| Summary: | Muslims, especially in southern Thailand, have been struggling to
lead their lives according to Shari’ah. They have been demanding independence
or at least autonomy especially for the southern part of Thailand from the
central government. Their aim is to transform the socio-economic and political
set-up in the South along Islamic lines. They began with the demand for Shariah
Courts to be established in the region. This struggle for Shari’ah court is in
accordance with the fundamental right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights that stipulates that every person has the right to practice his/her
religion. This is also required by religion. Muslims are under obligation to live
according to the Islamic way of life and to settle disputes among fellow
Muslims through Shari’ah courts. However, Muslims are denied the right to
Shari’ah court. There are no procedural laws and adequate substantive laws to
govern their practical lives. The mass media highlights the insurgency that is
taking place in southern Thailand but not the inequality and injustices Muslims
face in the region. Muslims have been marginalized in almost every aspect
despite being the citizens of the kingdom. This paper analyses the current
situation regarding the status of Shari’ah courts in Thailand, analyses albeit
briefly the injustices meted out to the Muslims and argues for granting the right
to Shari’ah court in Thailand. |
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